What to Bring on Your Red Mountain Adventure

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• Casual and comfortable clothing


• Outdoor clothing - Removable layers work best as mornings may be cool and warm quickly during a hike. Winter months are moderate, so layering of a jacket, fleece, non-cotton base, hat and gloves will be quite sufficient for even the coolest of mornings.


• Workout apparel


• Aerobic shoes with non-marking soles


• Hiking boots or shoes - lightweight & well-vented with traction


• Double layer socks or blister free socks for hiking


• Pajamas


• Swimsuit, swim goggles, pool shoes and cover-up


• Padded bike shorts


• Sunscreen and sun hat/visor


• Sunglasses


• We will provide you with two RM Sports water bottles on arrival, but suggest a hydration pack such as CamelBak for hiking.


• Backpack or waist-pack for hands-free hiking; again, a hydration pack such as a CamelBak would be highly recommended.


• Golf clubs - Rental is available at our local courses, should you choose not to transport your own.


• Camera and film or digital camera


• Don't worry all the essentials such as energy bars, toiletries, film and souvenirs are available at Red Mountain Resort & Spa Outfitters. You can even trade in your old hiking boots or athletic shoes for a discount on a new pair. Your old shoes will be donated to Soles4Souls!


• Leave your valuables and jewelry at home

Red Mountain's Green Statement

@RedMountainSpa

Red Mountain Resort & Spa is a member of the Green Spa Network, whose member spas are centers for healing, aesthetics and wellness, dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint. We are aware of the connection between environment and humanity and will continue to be a good influence both locally and globally.

• Red Mountain Resort & Spa’s hiking program allows our guests to enjoy nature at its finest, and recognize the need to respect our earth. Our Hiking Guides educate our guests on “Leave No Trace Principles.”


• To educate our guests about the ecologically friendly principles, we offer an evening presentation titled, “10 Steps to Sustainability,” knowing that the knowledge gained at Red Mountain will be carried onward to their lives at home.


• An herb garden is available for use by our Canyon Breeze Culinary Team.


• Xeriscaping to reduce water consumption is used throughout our landscaping and the majority of Red Mountain’s property remains natural desert. Low emitter irrigation is used in our landscaping in several areas to save water.


• We conform to the City of Ivins lighting ordinances to protect the night skies by using low voltage lighting and dim lighting at night.


• We encourage recycling by employees and guests throughout property of paper, cardboard and plastics.


• Places throughout the property, such as the relaxation area at Sagestone Spa & Salon are dedicated to quiet for resting and relaxing. These quiet places are cell-phone free zones.


• We consider sustainability practices of our spa product vendors when selecting products for Sagestone Spa & Salon. For example, we have chosen Davines hair care line, who since 2006 has contributed to reforestation of areas in Costa Rica and Italy. Phytomer, a skin care line, is manufactured in an ECOCERT approved manufacturing plant and reclaims and purifies waste water using a natural filtering garden.


• Sagestone Spa & Salon has introduced a menu of treatments using indigenous items from Utah including honey, creosote, cactus blossoms and prickly pear cactus.


• Sagestone Spa & Salon has ceased the application of acrylics for manicures and pedicures to improve air quality.


• Guests may voluntarily participate in water reduction by selecting reduced housekeeping services such as re-using their towels.

Chicken Caesar Pita Pizza

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Pizza Ingredients:
One 6" Wheat Pita Pocket
4 T Parmesan Cheese, shredded
1 C Romaine Lettuce, Cut
1 T Eggless Spa Caesar Dressing (see recipe below)
¼ C Grilled Chicken Breast, julienned

Dressing Ingredients:
1 ½ T Garlic, minced
4 ½ T Lemon Juice
3 fillets Anchovies
2 ½ T Dijon Mustard
14 oz Soft Tofu
1 T Parmesan Cheese
2 t Worcestershire Sauce

Pizza Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 425°.


• Split pita pocket in half crosswise; spread parmesan across each half equally.


• Bake pita for 7 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly; remove from oven.


• In chilled mixing bowl, combine chicken, romaine and dressing and mix well.


• Cut each pita crust into 4 pieces, top with chicken Caesar and serve.

Dressing Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and purée.


• Adjust flavors as needed.


• Toss with crisp romaine leaves and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Spirituality at Red Mountain Resort & Spa

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By Shaman Spirit Betina Lindsey

The spiritual journey is the one trip we are all taking together. Spirituality is the slow motion dance of a life in balance. Through spirituality we cultivate wisdom, balance, regeneration and healing.

Religions offer us tried and true philosophies for understanding existence while spirituality is the ability to feel connection to all manifestations of the holy in the world around us. Spirituality is not an activity so much as a refined energy, a gift of the Universe to all beings. The ancient way-showers left clues in rock art symbolizing the road of life, birth, death and rebirth that each soul walks. As we walk the labyrinth of life ours is a journey of emergence - an emergence into spirit and in emergence all suffering is transformed into peace.

Author Terry Tempest Williams asks "How do we find peace in a broken world?" My answer would be to "find spiritual sanctuary." From ancient times the esthetics retreated into caves or wandered in the wilderness. Today many are called to the winding trails and cloistered pools of our national parks and canyons because nature is more than nature. Anyone willing to stop and feel nature’s simple quiet might discover it is a place where heaven and earth merge. The monk and mystic in each of us know there is refuge and holiness in nature. It is a simple presence, free of tradition, where new pathways can open into spirit. Humans need a place of peace where the roots of what is sacred can take hold in the soul. There are many teachers of the spiritual path but still this path is not so easily documented or defined. Each of us must find it for ourselves. Finding spiritual sanctuary gives you time to align yourself and your intentions.

You might ask to know what is unfinished for me to learn, to experience, to heal and to create? In spiritual sanctuary see all life as "tho"...the trees, the stones, the water...everything. You will feel a change. The ego that sees a "thou" is not the same ego that sees an "it"...A lightning struck tree is holy...land scorched by fire is holy. You too are holy. Your own life wounds make you so. Spirituality is an attribute of existence. Just watch the hawk flying on the wind in a slow motion dance of a life in balance.

What Does the Chef Cook on His Day Off?

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

By Dale Van Sky,
Executive Chef

Although I do not have as much opportunity to cook at home as I would like to, one of my most favorite dinners (and most frequently requested by my wife) is Beef Stroganoff on Basmati Rice. There are many recipes for this classic dish and I will share mine with you.

Beef Stroganoff on Basmati Rice

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
4 Tbsp Smart Balance butter substitute (could use butter or margarine)
1 Pound Beef Sirloin (trimmed of all outer fat and sliced 1” long, 1/4” thick by 1/2” thin strips)
1/4 Cup Yellow Onions (diced 1/4”)
1/2 Cup Mushrooms (sliced 1/4”)
4 Tbsp Whole Wheat Flour (for nutritional benefits and color)
1/4 Cup Liquid Aminos (could use 2 -3 beef bouillon cubes)
1/4 Cup Red Wine (preferably one you would have with the meal)
1-1/4 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

• Melt Smart Balance on high heat in large sauté pan until it starts to smoke.


• Add Beef Sirloin Strips and sauté until browned.


• Add diced Onions and sliced Mushrooms. Cook until the Onions stat to turn clear.


• Stir in Whole Wheat Flour and reduce heat to low. Cook 5 minutes stirring occasionally.


• Stir in Red Wine, Water and Liquid Aminos. Turn heat up and bring to a boil (it will be very thick, the Sour Cream will thin it).


• Turn heat off and blend in Sour Cream.


• Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

Basmati Rice

Note: Use two parts Water to one part Rice.

Ingredients:
1 Cup Basmati White Rice
2 Cups Water

Directions:

• Bring Water to a boil in a 1 qt. sauce pan.


• Stir in Basmati Rice.


• Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes (all water should be absorbed).

Serving:

• Place 1/2 cup Basmati Rice in center of plate.


• Top with 1 cup Beef Stroganoff.


• Place 1 Tbsp. of Sour Cream on top and enjoy.

Breakfast Burritos

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients for Breakfast Burritos:
12 oz Egg Substitute or Egg Whites
8 t Roma Tomato, diced
4 t Cotija Cheese*
2 t Cilantro, stemmed, washed and chopped
1 T Olive Oil, as needed to coat cooking surface
2 Wraps Ezekiel Sprouted Wheat or other Flavor Tortilla Wraps, 12" diameter

Directions for Breakfast Burritos:

• Using a minimal amount of olive oil, preheat non-stick pan over medium heat.


• Gradually add the egg beaters and/or egg whites a little at a time (enough to just cover the cooking surface); soft scramble, then add more egg until all is soft scrambled.


• Stir in the roma tomatoes and cilantro.


• Remove from heat and add cotija cheese.


• Lightly pre-heat wraps on stove burner or grill; spoon in ¼ of the scrambled egg mixture per wrap; roll up burrito style, tucking in the ends.


• Cut in half on the bias and serve with salsa fresca.

Healthy Heart Exercise to Re-energize Your Day

@RedMountainSpa
Toe Raises: While seated or standing. Lift your toes while keeping your heels firmly on the ground. Repeat 1-3 sets for 30 seconds.

Meet General Manager Tracey Welsh

@RedMountainSpa

Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa

Current town: Santa Clara, Utah

Age: 48

Birthday: August 2 - Yes, I am a Leo

Favorite color: Red

Favorite sport to watch: It's a toss up between baseball and swimming. Baseball is a necessity to share with my husband, and I'm one of the few people who loves to watch distance swimming.

Favorite fitness activity: Swimming tied with hiking. I also enjoy stretch and dance classes.

How long at Red Mountain: 9 years

Favorite spa treatment: Desert Rain Massage

Favorite fitness class offered at RM: Stretch class - I also love any water fitness class.

Family info? Married? Kids? Pets? Married to Tim over 25 years with one daughter, Reagan, and two four-legged kids, Joey and Dali.

Favorite thing about working at RM: Two days are never the same, and the scenery is outstanding. I have the privilege of working with a diverse group of experts, and it's wonderful to mix hospitality with wellness and impact a guest life in a powerful way. Each day, I learn something to improve my own health and I realize how fortunate I am to be here.

If you weren’t in Southern Utah, where would you live? I have dreams of a rolling mid-western farm someday where my border collies will herd sheep…but I'll have to leave when it snows. Southern Utah is truly home now.

Favorite vacation spot: I have great memories of Sanibel, Florida. It was a really stressful time in my life, and I got to spend a few days on my own before my family joined me. The solitude and reflection was very self healing, and then I was ready to enjoy my family. We spent hours walking the beach and playing in the ocean. I also love Zion National Park as it brings out the "earth scientist wanna be" in me. Finally, I enjoy visiting my hometown. I lived each summer on the Mississippi River as I grew up, and there are great memories when I go back during boating season.

Best RM memory: My first hike in Snow Canyon. Absolutely life changing. I don't think that I stopped talking the whole time because I was simply amazed at the beauty and the sunshine.

Favorite food: My absolute favorite meal comfort food is tomato soup and grilled cheese. My "feel good" food is chicken because I feel best when I eat protein and avoid white flour and sugar. I also love cheese...any kind...must be my Swiss cheesemaker ancestry.

Favorite indulgence: I love bath time with a book, or cuddling under a blanket in the sun when it's a bit brisk outside. I also find crocheting very comforting....seems pretty old fashioned, but I like to think I'm being creative and producing something at the same time. My nieces and nephews get hats and scarves each year, and I send hats and scarves to the local homeless shelter.

Where did you go to college? Loras College, Iowa

When you aren’t at work, what do you do for fun? Tim and I now RV and try to spend as much time in the National Parks as we can. Dali and Joey are great travelers and keep us walking and active so we are always looking for pet friendly spots to go. I also enjoy golf, and I find shopping with my daughter a great hobby.

Is there one thing at RM that you haven’t done that you want to? I would love to do the Eat Well, Feel Well School of Cuisine. I truly need Chef Dale to teach me how to cook.

Favorite book or movie that is related to health, wellness or fitness: I love the movie "Warm Springs" about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his quest for healing after being struck with polio. The movie is about his trip to a run down health facility in Georgia to take in the healing mineral waters. However, it's not simply the waters, but the team of people who are dedicated to the guests that help with the healing.

Favorite quote: I have many…anything by Abraham Lincoln. Here's one: “And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” And from Mahatma Ganhdi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Napolito Cactus, Jicama & Orange Salad

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Napolito Cactus
1 C Jicama
3 oz. Orange
1 1/2 t Toasted Cumin Seed
1 t Rice Wine Vinegar
1 t Fresh Cilantro
1/2 t Dark Chili Powder
pinch Salt

Directions:

• Mix the cactus, jicama, orange, cumin seeds and cilantro.


• Separately mix the vinegar, chili powder and salt.


• Combine the cactus mixture with the vinegar mixture.

March Recipe of the Month: Apple Walnut Bread Pudding

@RedMountainSpa #recipe

Ingredients:
1/4 tsp Vanilla Beans, split
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Milk
Pinch Salt
Pinch Pepper
2 Eggs
1/4 lb Whole Wheat Bread, cubed
1/2 Apple, peeled, sliced
1/4 oz Walnuts, chopped
1/4 tsp Apple Pie Spice
3/4 cup Caramel Sauce (see recipe below)
Pinch Cinnamon

Directions:

• Warm milk with vanilla bean and brown sugar to dissolve the sugar.


• Beat eggs with salt and pepper.


• Add bread, apples and apple pie spice to egg and milk mixture.


• Pour into a baking pan and bake (preferably in a water bath) for 30 minutes at 325 degrees.


• Serve with Caramel Sauce (see recipe).


• Dust each serving with cinnamon.

Caramel Sauce Ingredients:
3 fl. oz. Water
3 fl. oz. Sugar
3 tbsp Corn Syrup
1/4 cup Cream
2 tbsp Butter

Directions:

• Combine water, sugar and corn syrup. Cook to a light caramel.


• Cautiously add cream, stirring to blend.


• Stir in butter.


• Cool.